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Cruise Ship terminal plans challenged

Greenwich Conservative councillors are disappointed that the Council has approved a controversial Cruise Ship terminal at Enderby Wharf without properly addressing environmental concerns.

Local Conservatives are excited by the potential employment opportunities, additional footfall and regeneration the cruise ship terminal and Enderby Wharf development should bring to the Royal Borough. However they remain deeply concerned about the environmental impact and have criticised the lack of affordable housing proposed with the project.

“We are disappointed that six Labour Councillors voted against a postponement in taking a decision to allow more research into environmental mitigants,” said Councillor Matt Clare. “The six Labour Councillors unconditionally approved the development without requesting any of the environmental mitigants called for by an overwhelming number of residents. Two Labour Councillors did abstain and one voted against, but both Conservative members of the Planning Board voted against the plan.”

Councillors Geoff Brighty, Nuala Geary and Matt Clare spoke of the need for cruise ships to be able to plug in to onshore power sources, as opposed to running polluting diesel generators.

In one hour, an average cruise ship can burn 700 litres of diesel. This is the equivalent of 10 full tanks of fuel in a Jaguar XF or of 400 such cars idling.

In voting against the proposed development, Councillor Geoff Brighty emphasised the unacceptable scale of the development (three towers of 23, 26 and 31 storeys). Councillor Brighty, who represents Blackheath Westcombe ward, also highlighted that density levels were far above the recommended levels.

Councillor Nuala Geary, who represents Eltham South, spoke of concerns around noise levels from the generators and the operation of the ships and terminal itself.

Councillor Matt Clare, also representing Eltham South, recalled that “residents' of Alcatraz could hear diners and party-goers on San Francisco's shores 2.4km away, while the gap between Greenwich homes and that of the Cruise Ship terminal is considerably shorter at just 150m”.

“We do hope the Cruise Ship terminal will be a great opportunity for Greenwich, economically,” he said. “However it must not be at the expense of our environment or residents’ peace. The complete lack of environmental mitigants is unacceptable. We will monitor the situation and scrutinise where appropriate.”